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COFSRICHT DEPOStn 









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YOURS SINCERELY. 

Rev. J. F. Bair. 



THE STORY OF 



THE ANDREWS RAID 



OR 



THE MOST DARING ENTERPRISE OF 
THE CIVIL WAR 



TOLD IN POETRY 



Rev. John F. Bair 




PRESS Olf 

Report Publishing Company, Limited, 
Lebanon, Pa. 



2nd COPYV 
1898J 



LIVED. 






^ us-n 









Copyright, 1898, 
By Rev. John F. Bair. 




" I ^O the sacred memory of those eight heroes 
who lost their lives in this most daring- 
raid, also to the memory of the hve comrades of 
the raiding party who have died since the war, 
to the wives and children of nil the departed 
members of the heroic band, and to the nine 
comrades of the band w^ho still survive, these 
lines are affectionately dedicated by the author. 




NAMES OF THE ADVENTURERS. 



(Executed.) 

J. J. Andrews, leader. .Citizen of Kentucky. 

William Campbell Citizen of Kentucky. 

George D. VVilsan Co. B, Second Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

Marion A. Ross Co. A, Second Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

Perry G. Shadrack. .. .Co. K, Second Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

Samuel Slavems Thirty-third Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

Samuel Robinson Co. G, Thirty-third Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

John Scott Co. K, Twenty-first Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

(Escaped in October.) 

W. W. Brown Co. F, Twdnty-first Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

William J. Knight Co. E, Twenty-first Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

J. R. Porter Co. C, Twenty-first Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

Mark Wood Co. C, Twenty-first Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

J. A. Wilson Co. C, Twenty-first Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

W. J. Hawkins Co. A, Thirty-third Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

John Wollam Co. C, Thirty-third Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

D. A. Dorsey Co. H, Thirty-third Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

(Exchanged in March.) 

Jacob Parrot Co. K, Thirty-third Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

Robert Buflfum Co. H, Twenty-first Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

William Bensinger. . . .Co. G, Twenty-first Reg't, Ohio Vols. 
William Reddick Co. B, Thirty-third Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

E. H. Mason Co. K, Twenty-first Reg't, Ohio Vols. 

William Pittenger Go. G, Second Reg't, Ohio Vols. 



CHAPTER PAGE 

I. Introduction, 11 

II. Captain Mitcliell's plan, 13 

in. Secret consultation with. Andrews at mid- 

niglit, 16 

IV. Arrival at Chattanooga, .... 21 

V. Capturing thte train, 26 

VI. Delayed by extra freigh.t trains, . . 29 

VII. A startling discovery, 35 

VIII. The exciting pursuit by th.e enemy, . . 44 

IX. Our wh.ole hand captured, .... 53 

X. A great sorrow, 69 

XI. A sevenfold murder, 76 

XII. Liberty or death, 85 

XIII. The escape of Dorsey and Hawkins, . . 92 

XIV. The escape of Wilson and Wood from 

Atlanta to the Gulf, .... 100 

XV. The escape of Brown and myself, . . 119 
XVI. From Atlanta to Richmond, Libby and 

Castle Thunder— Exchanged at last, 131 

XVII. Conclusion, 137 



preface* 




' Ci>i 



HE story of "The Andrew's Raid," which 
was planned by J. J. Andrews, who led 
^ twenty-one young men into the heart of 
the so-called Confederacy, in the month of April, 
1862, and captured a locomotive with three cars 
attached, is no doubt familiar to many. The story 
has been written in full by at least three of the sur- 
vivors of the daring raid, viz., D. A. Dorsey, Rev. 
William Pittenger, author of "Capturing a Loco- 
motive," and John A. Wilson, author of "The Ad- 
ventures of Alf. Wilson," To these surviving com- 
rades I am much indebted for the aid which their 
accounts furnished me in preparing this work. 

7 



In March, 1897, while a student in the Theo- 
logical Seminary of the Reformed Church in the 
United States, at Lancaster, Pa., I met Mr. Wil- 
liam J. Knight, the Union engineer of the chase. 
He gave a lecture, in which he told the story of the 
raid, at the same time illustrating it by means of 
large oil paintings. I had read much about the 
raid and of course the lecture given by Mr. Knight 
was of deep interest to me. I had read many 
poems of Longfellow, Whittier and other poets, 
describing daring enterprises. I wondered why 
none of them had ever written the story of this, the 
most daring enterprise of our late Civil War. I 
told Mr. Knight that the story ought to be written 
in poetry and that I had about made up my mind 
to undertake it. He urged me to do so. About 
the middle of March of the same year I began the 
difficult task, and now after many months of hard 
labor I present it to the public, feeling sure that it 
will be read with interest. The story reads like a 

8 



romance, but it is true, and as Mr. Knight said in 
his lecture, "The half of what they suffered has 
never yet been told." The poem is written in the 
first person and with the exception of the first and 
last chapters, it is written as if Comrades Knight, 
Dorsey, Wilson, and Pittenger were the speakers. 
I feel assured that the lines as I have written 
them will meet with the approval of the surviving 
comrades of the Union Army and also those who 
fought for the "Lost Cause." My language may 
in some parts of the poem seem severe, e. g., where 
I brand Colonel Foracre as a murderer, but I be- 
lieve that every native of the South who now claims 
to be loyal to the " Old Flag," will agree with me 
that he was nothing else. As to my comparing 
those men, who so shamefully lashed Comrade Ja- 
cob Parrot over his bare back, to demons sent from 
hell, the language is not too severe. I do not pre- 
tend to say that this, my longest poem, is free from 
error. Several of my shorter poems were severely 

9 



criticised when published, but the critics usually 
were the weakest students in the College and Theo- 
logical Seminary. Longfellow was severely criti- 
cised when he published his Hiawatha and I ex- 
pect the criticisms on this work to be numerous, 
but as it is I now respectfully present it to the 
public. 

Glencoe, Pa., Feb. i, 1898. J. F. B. 



10 



Chapter I. 



INTRODUCTION. 




RAVE men have often dared to die 
For home and native land, 
I now will tell the thrilling tale 
Of Andrews and his band; 
How in a noted rebel State, 
During our Civil War, 
They planned and made a daring raid 
And spread destruction far. 



II 



'Twas on a Thursday night in March, 

Within a crowded hall, 

I saw the famous Andrews' Raid 

Portrayed upon the wall, 

While comrade Knight, the engineer 

Who ran the engine through, 

Told how the raid was planned and made 

By their small, gallant crew. 



He showed us pictures of the raid, 
Oil paintings large and grand. 
The railroad chase, the prison hole, 
And sufferings of their band; 
He told the tale in thrilling tones, 
'Twas grand because 'twas true, 
I will relate in his own words, 
The thrilling tale to you. 



12 




CAPT. W. J. KNIGHT. 

UNION ENGINEER OF "AN DREWS' RAID. 
TH IRTY-SIX YEARS LATER. 

1898. 



Chapter II. 



CAPTAIN MITCHELL S PLAN. 



'^^^WAS in the spring of sixty-two, 
f^^^ Upon an April day, 
I stood among the "Boys in blue," 
And heard the Captain say, 
"Is there a man among this throng, 
By trade an engineer? 
If so, let him step forth at once 
And come right over here." 



13 



At once I answered to his call 
And came to where he stood, 
I felt quite sure that I full well 
An engine understood; 
He took me to a private tent 
And there explained a plan 
A band of men would execute, 
Led by a daring man. 



"The man comes from Kentucky State,' 
Said Mitchel, (for 'twas he 
Who held this confidential talk 
Beneath the tent with me), 
"He is a brave and daring man, 
And Andrews is his name, 
Although a native of the South, 
He's Union just the same." 



14 



He told me also that that night, 

In a dark and lonely glen, 

Andrews would meet at twelve o'clock 

The band of chosen men, 

And there would thoroughly explain 

Just what concerned each man. 

Then they would journey South at once 

And execute the plan. 



IS 



Cbapter III. 




SECRET CONSULTATION WITH ANDREWS AT 
MIDNIGHT. 

OT many miles from Shelbyville, 
At twelve o'clock that night, 
We met within a silent grove, 
Our army not in sight; 
We formed a circle round about 
Brave Andrews while he spake 
About the daring, dangerous raid 
We were about to make. 



i6 



"Soldiers," said he, "to me give heed, 
While I explain to you, 
For you must rightly understand 
Just what each man must do. 
The task indeed is perilous, 
In it great danger lies, 
If you are caught I have no doubt 
You'll all be hung as spies." 



"To Chattanooga we will go, 
From there we will proceed 

To Marietta and prepare 
To do the daring deed ; 

The locomotive and some cars 
We'll take and speed away, 

The telegraph and bridges then 
Destroy along the way." 



17 



"But listen now, just one word more, 
I wish you all to know 
That you are volunteers, no one 
Will be compelled to go; 
If there be one of you who thinks 
The task too hazardous, 
Go back to camp and tell no one 
What has become of us." 



Just tvv-enty-one of us declared 

We'd follow and obey, 

Whate'er the consequence might be, 

We'd rather go than stay. 

Two of our band returned to camp, 

I never knew just why, 

But we resolved to make the raid. 

We had but once to die. 



i8 



"The object of this daring raid," 
Said Andrews, "I'll explain; 
We'll cut off all the Reb's supplies 
By capturing the train 
And burning every bridge along 
The Georgia Railroad route, 
Which is the only means they have 
To send provisions out." 



"Now form your squads and I will give 
You money which you'll need, 
Then all disperse and to the South, 
At once with haste proceed." 
He dealt the money freely out, 
Then said in tones quite plain, 

"Good-bye to all," then we went forth 
Through mud and falling rain. 



19 



Just here it may be well to state 

That Captain Mitchel's plan 

Was to move forth upon Huntsville 

The same day that we ran 

To Chattanooga with the train 

And burned the bridges down, 

The day on which we'd take the train 

He planned to take the town. 



20 



Cbapter IV. 



ARRIVAL AT CHATTANOOGA. 




E journeyed on o'er mountains high, 
The rain in torrents fell, 
We many miles on foot traversed, 
O'er hill, through wood and dell; 
At last we met upon the bank 
Of the River Tennessee, 
There Chattanooga opposite, 
We all could plainly see. 



21 



We asked a ferryman at once 
To take us o'er the stream, 
He said, "Indeed of such a thing, 
I ne'er could even dream;" 
We looked at him in great surprise 
And asked the reason why, 
"The reason why," said he, " 'tis plain, 
The wind is much too high." 



We tried in vain to urge the man 
To sail against the wind, 
But all our efiforts were in vain. 
We could not change his mind; 
When our requests all failed to move 
This Rebel ferryman, 
We changed our tactics and pursued 
A more successful plan. 



22 



Right in his presence we began 
To laugh and joke and jeer, 
Declaring that Kentuckians 
Would show no sign of fear; 
He could not stand that kind of talk, 
For soon we heard him call, 
"Come on, I'll take you o'er this stream, 
Or quickly drown you all." 



The trip was short but dangerous, 

But we had one task more, 

For we had heard that we would meet 

A guard upon the shore, 

Who would demand of each a pass 

Before he'd let us through, 

If he'd refuse to let us land 

We knew not what we'd do. 



23 



Imagine our delight when we 

Found there no one to stay 

Our progress, but could step ashore 

And journey on our way; 

No doubt because of such a storm 

They took the guard away, 

Thinking no one would dare to cross 

On such a stormy day. 



We hurried to the station, then 

We stepped on board the train, 

For Marietta we were bound, 

Would our trip be in vain? 

We reached the place about midnight, 

Stopped at a small hotel. 

We very soon were snug in bed, 

I never slept so well. 



24 



The time was short, indeed I thought 
I'd scarcely closed my eyes 
Until I heard a voice ring out, 
"Awake! 'tis time to rise." 
Each man made ready hastily, 
We started through the rain, 
We reached the station just in time 
To catch that fatal train. 



We stepped on board, seemed unconcerned 

As any in the crowd, 

The train was full of passengers 

Who talked and laughed quite loud; 

We now drew near to Big Shanty, 

Where we must do our work, 

We grit our teeth, determined that 

Not one his part would shirk. 



25 



Chapter V. 



CAPTURING THE TRAIN. 




E reached the place about dayhght, 
We heard the brakeman shout, 
"Big Shanty, you can breakfast here !" 
We quickly hurried out. 
The engineer and fireman 
And trainmen generally, 
Poured out and hurried to their lunch 
And left the engine free. 



26 



Now was our time to make a dash, 
We could not long delay, 
Andrews whispered, "All right, boys; 
On now and speed away." 
I quickly drew the coupling pin, 
They scrambled quickly on, 
I pulled the throttle open wide, 
Then, quickly we were gone. 



As we pulled out I caught a glimpse 

Of the excited throng 

Running about in wild dismay, 

I did not view them long, 

For they were soon lost to our view 

As we were hurled along, 

Once past a curve I saw no more 

Of the excited throng. 



27 



Soon afterwards we stopped our train 
And soon removed a rail, 
In order that we might delay 
Those following our trail; 
We also cut the wires down 
Which side beside us ran; 
John Scott climbed quickly up the pole, 
He was an active man. 



We cut a piece of wire out 

And placed it in our train, 

So that pursuers all might fail 

To mend the breach again; 

Then we proceeded on our way 

According to our plan. 

Which was to run on schedule time, 

Accordingly we ran. 



28 



Chapter VL 



DELAYED BY EXTRA FREIGHT TRAINS. 




UT hindrances, which unforseen 



A^^ Before we made the raid, 

At Kingston met us and we were 

For one full hour delayed; 

We thought we'd meet but one freight train, 

We met no less than three, 

Andrews inquired what the cause 

Of all these trains might be? 



29 



Immediately he was informed, 

It made his brave heart thrill, 

That Yankee Mitchel by forced march 

Had come upon Huntsville, 

And therefore all the rolling stock 

Was ordered quickly to 

Atlanta, and that these three trains 

Were hauHng the stock through. 



Andrews was then asked who he was, 
He answered prompt and plain, 
"An agent under Beaureguard, 
I have a powder train; 
We should indeed by all means be 
Now moving on our way, 
I very much indeed regret 
This unlooked-for delay." 



30 



The last freight train at last arrived, 

And x^ndrews turned about 

And ordered that the switch be turned 

To let our train pull out; 

The switch-tender refused and hung 

His keys upon the wall, 

Declared he would not turn the switch 

Nor let us out at all. 



Andrews, impatient, seized the keys 
And soon the sv/itch was turned, 
The old man made a loud protest. 
Which was by Andrews spurned ; 
When we had passed to the main track 
Andrews threw down the keys, 
Saying to the fierce old man, 
"I beg your pardon, please." 



31 



"But we cannot afford to wait 
Upon a single man, 

The South would never win the day, 
According to your plan;" 

He spoke these words, then stepped on board 
And we moved on once more, 

We ran from there with greater speed 
Than we had made before. 



Another station, Adairsville, 

Was but ten miles away. 

There we would meet another freight, 

We hoped 'twould not delay 

Us for a single moment more. 

For if we'd be too late 

To burn the bridges, stop pursuit, 

We'd surely meet our fate. 



32 



A little south of Adairsville 

We made another stop, 

Where two or three more rails were loosed 

And quickly taken up; 

John Scott as usual climbed the pole 

And cut the wire loose, 

A pile of cross ties lying there, 

We took for future use. 



Our train arrived at Adairsville 
Before the expected freight. 
But fortunately for us all, 
We had not long to wait. 
For very soon the train arrived, 
Backed in behind our own, 
Obeying orders Andrews gave 
In a commanding tone. 



33 



There now remained but one train more, 

Which was a passenger, 

The last train that lay in our way, 

Our progress to deter. 

We waited there five minutes more, 

The train did not appear, 

Andrews said, "We'll go ahead, 

We'll wait no longer here." 



We moved but slowly on at first, 

But soon increased our speed, 

I pulled the throttle open wide. 

Urged on my iron steed; 

Thus we ran on into Calhoun 

And there we met the train. 

Which soon was passed and we now free 

Were gliding on again. 



34 



Chapter VIL 



A STARTLING DISCOVERY 




ITHOUT a thought of clanger we, 
Q^-^Xc) Not far above Calhoun, 
Stopped to take up another rail 
And cut the wires down; 
While thus engaged we heard a sound, 
A train appeared in sight, 
There was but one thing we could do, 
'Twas to resort to flight. 



35 



But from whence came this train you ask, 
We asked that question too; 
How did it pass the broken rails, 
And manage to run through? 
Let us return to Big Shanty 
To where we took the train, 
Perhaps we can more fully then 
The mystery explain. 



The engineer and fireman 

And conductor of the train 

Which we had taken from them, were 

Fuller, Murphy, and Cain; 

They had not yet begun to eat 

When we our work began. 

As I have said, we took the train 

And ofT with it we ran. 



36 



Murphy's quick ear soon caught the sound 

Of the escaping steam, 

He looked at Fuller and exclaimed, 

It was almost a scream, 
"Your train is moving, Fuller, see !" 

And Fuller called to Cain, 
"Some one is on our engine and 

Is moving our train !" 



They hurried out but were too late, 

The train was under way, 

But these three men resolved at once 

That they would not delay; 

So starting at full speed they ran 

After the flying train, 

As if they hoped to capture it 

And soon return again. 



37 



They did not for a moment think 

That we were Union men, 

But that some conscripts from that camp 

Had ran away again; 

They thought they'd surely find their train 

A mile or two away, 

And that they would not be compelled 

To cause a long delay. 



About two miles from Big Shanty, 
They found to their dismay, 
Where we had cut the wire off 
And carried part away; 
Some workmen with a handcar were 
Found working near the place, 
They soon engaged the men and car 
And thus began the chase. 



38 



Fuller knew well that at Kingston, 

Just thirty miles away, 

Three extra freights would meet our train 

And our project delay; 

With the hand car they doubtless could 

Eight miles an hour make, 

He thought by working hard they might 

The fugitives o'ertake. 



While toiling thus the men also 

Engaged in idle talk. 

While thus engaged they realized 

A very sudden shock; 

Each felt a jar and then a jolt 

And then a sudden pitch. 

And soon each man was floundering 

Within a muddy ditch. 



39 



They'd reached the place where we had torn 

The first rail from the track, 

And one was landed on his head, 

Another on his back; 

But none were injured seriously. 

And like determined men. 

They placed the hand car on the track 

And hurried on again. 



But after traveling nineteen miles. 

They found at Etowah, 

An engine large and powerful. 

Men called it the Yonah; 

They seized this prize and rapidly 

Proceeded on their way 

Toward Kingston, which they hoped to reach 

Before we'd get away. 



40 



They pulled their throttle open wide, 

Their engine thundered on, 

But when they reached Kingston at last. 

They found that we had gone; 

But we had scarcely left Kingston, 

Were scarcely out of sight 

Of those freight trains which for an hour 

Had checked our rapid flight. 



But Fuller found his pursuit checked 

By the large extra freight. 

He could not pass it nor afiford 

To lie there long and wait; 

He left the Yonah, walked around, 

The engine of the freight 

He took and hurried on again, 

But at a slower rate. 



41 



Just twenty minutes of a start 

Had we of them from there, 

Although their freight engine for speed, 

Could not with ours compare; 

But being still delayed by trains, 

A passenger and freight. 

Being delayed at Adairsville, 

We le'ft there somewhat late. 



But Fuller was somewhat delayed, 
When coming to the place 
Where we had lorn the rails away. 
He had to stop the chase 
With that engine, because he had 
No rails nor spikes at hand, 
Tnuuediately they ran on foot 
And left the engine stand. 



42 



The freight we passed at Adairsville, 

Soon met them on the way, 

They took that train and hurried back, 

Without a long delay; 

This thoroughly explains the scene 

Witnessed above Calhoun, 

Where we beheld the Rebel train — 

Upon us bearing down. 



43 



Cbapter VIII. 

THE EXCITING PURSUIT BY THE ENEMY. 

n^E now return to where we left 
^^^/^ Onr small excited crew; 
When we beheld the train there was 
But one thing we could do; 
That was to quickly mount our train 
And seek safety in flight, 
We climbed upon the train at once 
And fled with all our might. 



44 



There was one chance, we thought, remained, 

We had removed a rail, 

By which we hoped to stop pursuit, 

We thought it could not fail, 

Until we burned the bridge ahead, 

Which was not far away, 

Andrews believed we yet would be 

Likely to gain the day. 



But Alfred Wilson soon declared 

That it was very plain, 

They yet pursued, he saw the smoke 

Of the pursuing train; 

On hearing this we slackened speed 

The truth to ascertain, 

Yes, it was true, we plainly heard 

The whistle of their train. 



45 



We next reversed our engine, then 
Our hindmost car cut loose 
And hurled it back upon our foes 
Who now were very close; 
Their engine was reversed also 
When our car came nigh, 
It failed to injure them at all, 
They caught it on the fly. 



When we came near a slight up grade. 

We loosed another car 

And hurled it back and thus we hoped 

Their progress to debar; 

But Fuller saw the car in time 

And quickly he reversed 

His engine, and they caught that car 

Just like they did the first. 



46 



The Oostenaula bridge we saw- 
Was now plainly in sight, 
We did not stop to burn it though, 
But crossed in rapid flight; 
They were so close upon us that 
It filled our hearts with gloom. 
It seemed as if we were at last 
Rushing headlong to doom. 



But two hopes ye. to us remained, 
One was to wreck their train, 
And if we failed to do that, then 
One course would yet remain, 
Twas to run far ahead and burn 
A bridge or lift a rail. 
If we could not in that succeed, 
Our whole project must fail. 



47 



Accordini^ly wo sped alon^' 
With a full head of slcain, 
Our whistle sendinjj; forth at times 
A shrill and waniiiiL; scream; 
We now .'it iiiter\als tlnevv out 
Sonic cross-ties on the (rack, 
In order that they nn't^ht ohstrnct 
And keep pursuers back. 



TVIile after mile we thus tra\'ersed 
In (hat most dreadful chase, 
Hut this alone i-otild not sa\e us 
Nor win for us (he race; 
We now drew near (o Oalton where 
\Vc feared (ha( we mi^ht fuul 
A force on hand to aid (he band 
l'nrsuin<>- us beliind. 



48 



Tlicre is a junction at that place, 

Two roads lead out from there, 

Two lines of telci;raph also, 

We now had to despair 

( )f reaching Chattanooga with 

The engine we possessed, 

We knew that Rebels would be there 

With orders to arrest. 



We passed Dal ton in safety 

And on again we sped, 

But of those trains pursuing us, 

We were not much ahead; 

Above Dalton we stopped and cut 

llie telegraph once more, 

But 'twas no use for they had sent 

A message just before. 



49 



We quickly mounted and again 

Spurred on our iron steed, 

Then through a tunnel near the place 

We rushed at lightning speed; 

We tried to build a fire on 

The car which still remained, 

It was a task, the wood was wet 

For all the way it rained. 



At last a blaze began to rise 
And soon became more bright, 
About this time we saw ahead 
The covered bridge in sight; 
We stopped the car upon the bridge 
And soon the flames rose high. 
The smoke too floated on the air. 
In volumes toward the sky. 



50 



But scarcely had we halted when 
We were compelled to go, 
For we beheld not far behind, 
Our still pursuing foe; 
Reluctantly we left our car, 
Resumed again our flight, 
Our efforts failed, the burning car 
Did not the bridge ignite. 



Thus having failed to bum the bridge, 

'Twas useless now to try 

To stop pursuit, 'twas better to 

Abandon all and fly; 

Accordingly we all jumped off. 

The engine I reversed 

And sent it back upon our foes, 

Then quickly we dispersed. 



A number of us jumped into 

A river which ran by, 

Holding our pistols o'er our heads 

To keep our powder dry; 

We crossed the stream in safety, 

There ran with me just two, 

We soon were lost from all the rest 

Of our gallant crew. 



52 



Cbapter IX. 

OUR WHOLE BAND CAPTURED. 

(J^ LONE were we in a strange land, 
^S Without an earthly friend 
To shelter us or give us food, 
What was to be our end? 
But we resolved if possible, 
Northward to make our way, 
We did not have the least desire 
In that place long to stay. 



53 



Thus for three days we wandered on, 

Hiding as best we could, 

One day we stopped at a farm house 

And asked to buy some food; 

Alas for us! not far away 

Were Rebel cavalry, 

And the old farmer sent his son 

And warned them secretly. 



We ate the food which we had bought. 

Then quickly left the place. 

We climbed a hill and there we met 

Some Rebels face to face; 

They were the Rebel cavalry. 

Our race was run at last, 

And we were doomed to be abused 

And into prison cast. 



54 



Shortly afterwards they took 

Us to a common still, 

They freely dealt the whisky out 

And bade us take our fill; 

They thought that if they'd make us drunk, 

We'd tell all that we knew 

About the raid and all the men 

Of our gallant crew. 



We were securely bound with chains, 

Then rudely dragged away 

To Chattanooga where we were 

The penalty to pay; 

I will not weary you, dear friends. 

With this part of my tale, 

But will describe the horrors of 

That Chattanooga jail. 



55 



That prison, a two-story brick, 

Was partly under ground. 

And outside was a high board fence 

Which ran completely round; 

A room which measured thirteen feet 

In length and breadth and height, 

Was crowded full of prisoners 

Who seldom saw daylight. 



The entrance to this horrid hole. 

Was through the second floor. 

Which was kept closed both day and night. 

By means of a trap-door; 

They led us to this opening 

And bade us then descend, 

Then shut us in and there three weeks 

We were compelled to spend. 



56 



The air was foul, the heat intense, 

I thought I'd suffocate, 

Could they be human who would place 

A man in such a state? 

Alf. Wilson and Mark Wood soon came, 

How did the others fare? 

The place was dark but we soon found 

That every one was there. 



A Rebel whom they called "Old Swims," 

Had charge of this foul den, 

He seemed to think it was too good 

For any Yankee men; 

I learned that only twice a day, 

Would we get food to eat, 

A piece of corn bread very small. 

And a trifling piece of meat. 



57 



The food was put into a pail 

And from above let down, 

Thus we received it day by day, 

Oft with a sigh and frown; 

Still not content with starving us, 

They, like a set of toughs. 

Placed heavy chains upon our necks 

And on our hands hand-cufifs. 



The Rebels many plans devised 

And many efforts made 

To find who ran the engine through 

This most exciting raid; 

But we determined that no one 

Would dare to tell his name, 

We had but once to meet our death, 

No matter how it came. 



58 



Young Parrot, one of our gang, 
They thought they would compel 
To tell them what the rest of us 
Had all refused to tell; 
He was but eighteen years of age, 
He showed no signs of fear. 
But he refused to tell the name 
Of our engineer. 



The Rebel fiends enraged at this, 

Placed him upon a stone, 

A blacker crime than theirs I think 

Our land has never known; 

They lashed him o'er his naked back. 

Like demons sent from hell. 

But with all that they could not force 

That noble boy to tell. 



59 



When all the efforts of the fiends 

Had proved of no avail, 

They ceased their work and sent him back 

To Chattanooga jail; 

In that condition he was placed, 

His back all bruised and sore, 

About the Union engineer 

They questioned him no more. 



The Rebels had determined that 

They'd hang the engineer, 

If they had known that I was he, 

I would not now be here; 

But during our imprisonment. 

They never truly knew 

That I was he who in our raid, 

Had run the engine through. 



60 



Some two weeks after our raid, 
Andrews was briefly tried, 
The charges were that of a spy, 
And with the North allied; 
Andrews a-lniitted that he was 
The leader in the raid 
Which our band of gallant men 
So daringly had made. 



About this time we heard some news 

Which filled our hearts with joy, 

Although the Rebs. who guarded us, 

It did indeed annoy; 

We heard that Mitchel had advanced 

And was at present near 

To Chattanooga and the Rebs. 

Were all in constant fear. 



6i 



Leadbetter, who had charge of us, 
Now entertained great fear 
That he might lose his prisoners, 
If Mitchel should come near; 
He quickly ordered that our band 
Be sent to Madison, 
So we were placed in rude box cars, 
The W'Ork was quickly done. 



Our treatment there was better far, 

Than what we had received, 

For of that foul den and old Swims, 

We were indeed relieved; 

They said we were the bravest Yanks 

That they had ever caught, 

George Wilson told them that we were 

The poorest of the lot. 



62 



He told them that if we were lost 
No one would make a fuss, 
That Mitchel sent us out because 
He had no use for us; 
A man who heard these words of George, 
Said to him laughingly, 
"I cannot quite believe that tale, 
I guess that is a lie?" 



One day among our visitors, 

A man dressed up in gray, 

Came and conversed with Andrews, then 

Proceeded on his way; 

When once alone we asked Andrews, 

What was the reason why 

That Rebel came and talked with him, 

He said, "That was a spy." 



63 



A Union spy had been with us, 
Had talked with Andrews too, 
We hoped that he'd get safely out 
And to our lines pass through; 
Whether he reached the Union lines 
All safe, we never heard, 
Of him we never heard again, 
No, not a single word. 



Three days only were we allowed. 

In that place to remain, 

Then orders came to take us back 

To our den again; 

Back to that filthy hole again. 

The thought was horrible. 

It seemed almost like journeying 

From heaven down to hell. 



64 



But Captain Laws, an honest man, 

Made efforts to remove 

Us not into the hole again, 

But to the room above; 

Ahhough the space was just the same, 

We did not now despair, 

For we were now above the ground, 

With plenty of h-esh air. 



Old Swims objected to this change. 

And made a dreadful fuss, 

Although he had the guards with him. 

He was afraid of us; 

Even though we w^re handcuffed. 

We often heard him say, 

That evil would be sure to come 

Upon them all some day. 



65 



Colonel Cleibnrne had once asked 

Permission to remove 

Our handcuffs, but the officers 

Would not of it approve; 

But he allowed us to go out, 

Accompanied by a guard, 

And spend an hour or two each day 

Within the small jail yard. 



I managed at my first arrest. 

To cunningly deceive 

My pocket searchers, I had slipped 

My knife into my sleeve; 

With it we soon carved out of bone, 

A number of rude keys. 

With which we managed to unlock 

Our old handcuffs with ease. 



66 



But we believed the Rebels soon, 

Would hang us every one, 

That to escape a dreadful doom, 

Something must soon be done; 

We planned that when the guards would come 

As usual us to feed, 

To wrest their muskets from them, then 

Run ofif at rapid speed. 



We had our plans completely laid, 

Had fixed the very day, 

When Captain Laws came in and took 

Twelve of our band away ; 

1 happened to be one of them, 

We were to be arranged 

For trial and they said likely, 

We twelve would be exchanged. 



67 



We left nine soldiers and Andrews 

Who was our greatest pride, 

Said he, "I'll meet you boys at last 

On Jordon's other side." 

Then with sad hearts we left him there. 

In that dark, cruel place, 

Not one of us e'er saw again 

His brave and noble face. 



68 



Cbaptcr X. 



A GREAT SORROW. 




^HE history of those left behind, 

We now will first relate, 
How bravely, like a soldier true, 
Poor Andrews met his fate. 
At once the ten without delay, 
Resolved one thing to do, 
'Twas in the plank just overhead, 
To cut a passage through. 



69 



Accordingly the same jack-knife, 
Which had carved out the keys, 
Was used each day to cut the hole, 
Which was not done with ease; 
Just then an incident occurred. 
Which caused more energy 
To be put forth to make the way 
To gain their liberty. 



Captain Laws came in one day, 
His face was deadly pale, 
He held a paper in his hand 
Which told the dreadful tale; 
He handed it to Andrews, who 
Glancing at it walked away 
Into his cell, his comrades stood, 
Not knowing what to say. 



70 



The explanation Andrews gave, 

While each one held his breath, 

Was, that in one short week he would 

Be led forth to his death; 

The sorrow which it gave to them 

Was indescribable. 

Each bosom of those nine brave men 

With sorrow seemed to swell. 



There yet remained one gleam of hope, 
Which I will now relate, 
'Twas to break out of jail and flee 
And thus escape the fate; 
Accordingly they worked away 
Till nearly morning light. 
When Andrews quietly crept out 
And ran with all his might. 



71 



Unfortunately for him when 

He jumped into the yard, 

A piece of brick fell to the ground 

And thus alarmed the guard, 

Who started up and with the cry 

Of halt ! discharged his gun, 

But Andrews quickly cleared the fence 

And started on a run. 



He ran into a wood and there 

Climbed up into a tree, 

Thus all day long he there remained 

In sight of the city; 

A thorough search was made for him, 

But him they failed to see 

For no one in the crowd once thought 

Of searching in the tree. 



72 



When night came on he swam across 
The river which was near, 
He traveled on until he saw 
The dawn of morn appear; 
He saw a tree not far away 
And crossed an open field, 
Intending to climb into it 
And lie all day concealed. 



Alas for him ! he was observed, 

Again compelled to flee, 

He hastened to an island near 

And climbed into a tree; 

A party with some hounds pursued, 

And he compelled to swim, 

Was overtaken by a boat 

And thus they captured him. 



73 



The wretched man was taken back 

To that foul prison den, 

They fettered him for fear he might 

Escape from them again; 

A scaffold was prepared for him 

As that dark day drew nigh, 

They were afraid to hang him there 

For fear of sympathy. 



Accordingly they transferred him, 

On execution day. 

From Chattanooga southward to 

Atlanta far away; 

His comrades were all taken too, 

They were placed in a room, 

But brave Andrews was led away 

To meet his fatal doom. 



74 



The fortitude which he displayed, 

Amazed the Rebel horde, 

x-Ml stood in silence and no one 

Was heard to speak a word ; 

The rope was placed around his neck, 

His sorrows soon were ended, 

His body was interred near by, 

His brave soul high ascended. 



Thus ended that brave, noble man, 
Who planned that daring raid, 
Which was the most exciting one 
That man had ever made; 
The virtues of that noble man 
Are known both near and far, 
He planned the greatest enterprise 
Of our great Civil War. 



75 



Chapter XI. 

A SEVENFOLD MURDER. 

fHE other twelve were taken to 
A place they called Knoxville, 
Where Captain Fry, a prisoner 
From a town by name Greenville, 
Was placed among our little band 
Whom they would now soon try, 
And if convicted every one 
Would be compelled to die. 



76 



We had been there not many days 

Before our trials came, 

The charge preferred against us was 

With every one the same; 

We were accused of being spies, 

And on that charge were tried, 

But we declared we were soldiers, 

Their charges we denied. 



One of our band each day was tried, 

Thus seven days passed by. 

There yet remained just five of us 

Whom they had yet to try; 

But something happened to prevent 

The trials of the five. 

And thus it happens that I'm here 

Today preserved alive. 



77 



The news was brought that Mitchel had 

Advanced upon the town 

Of Chattanooga, and with shells, 

Was knocking houses down; 

A guard came to our prison soon 

And took us all away, 

Down to Atlanta where we were 

For many weeks to stay. 



Our handcuffs there were taken off, 
We thought the worst was o'er, 
There we remained and for a week, 
Our lot with patience bore; 
How little did we think that soon 
The darkest of all crimes 
Would be committed by the Rebs 
Of our modern times. 



78 



'Twas on the eighteenth day of June, 

In eighteen sixty-two, 

We noticed that some cavalrymen 

Near to the prison drew; 

They were some Rebel cavalry, 

What could their coming mean? 

A guard around the house was placed, 

Which could be plainly seen. 



The jailor came, unlocked our door. 

We stood amazed and still. 

While those who had been tried while we 

Were stationed at Knoxville, 

Were taken outside of our room. 

The door was closed behind, 

What would be done? that was the thought 

Which came into my mind. 



79 



Soon our door was opened and 
George Wilson entered first, 
His arms were firmly bound, alas ! 
The fiends had done their worst. 
In a low whisper some one asked, 
'What can the matter be?" 
Said he, ''We are all to be hanged. 
And that immediately." 



Behind him came the others, tied. 
They thus were led away 
And put to death by murderers, 
On that dark summer day; 
The man who executed them 
Was Colonel Foracre, 
Whom every loyal Southerner 
Will call a murderer. 



80 



When on the scaffold, Wilson asked 
Permission to be heard, 
Saying that before he died. 
He wished to say a word; 
Then in prophetic tones he spoke 
Unto that Rebel throng, 
"I bear no grudge, but you are all 
Engaged in a great wrong. 



"Although you have condemned me and 
Will hang me as a spy, 
I am a soldier and do not 
Regret at all to die; 
But you will all live to regret 
That you took part at all 
In this rebellion, for your cause 
Is destined sure to fall. 



8i 



"And you will see the Stars and Stripes 
Float o'er this very place 
Where you today commit a crime 
Which will your name disgrace." 
Thus Wilson spoke, while the whole throng 
In silence held their breath, 
The trap was sprung which was to hurl 
The seven men to death. 



Then followed a disgusting scene, 

Slavens, also Campbell, 

Broke their ropes and fell down to 

The ground, insensible; 

When they recovered they asked to have 

An hour in which to pray, 

Before into eternity, 

They would be hurled away. 



82 



They were denied this mild request, 
And soon they both were hurled 
Into the presence of their Judge, 
In that celestial world. 
Thus did those noble heroes die, 
They sleep beneath the sod, 
Their spirits let us hope have gone 
To dwell above with God. 



We five who still remained untried, 
Were filled with gloom and fear 
For we had little doubt but that 
Our end was drawing near; 
Few words were spoken, we all sat 
Like men in deep despair, 
Slowly the time passed by, at last 
Some one suggested prayer. 



83 



Accordingly we all knelt down, 

And Captain Fry prayed first, 

And while he prayed he sobbed and cried 

As if his heart would burst; 

How earnestly we prayed to God 

Upon that lonely night, 

Beseeching Him to shed upon 

Our hearts some rays of light. 



84 



Chapter Xll. 



LIBERTY OR DEATH. 




HE Other nine of our band 
Were placed with us again, 
So that with them and Captain Fry, 
We numbered now fifteen; 
There we remained not knowing when 
We too would meet our fate, 
But we resolved escape to make 
Before 'twould be too late. 



85 



Some thought we still had better wait, 
Perhaps we'd be exchanged, 
But we resolved to risk no more, 
And soon their minds were changed. 
For some one heard the jailer say, 
'Those poor Yanks in that room, 
I feel so sorry for them all, 
For soon they'll meet their doom." 



These words were soon conveyed to us. 

No longer did we doubt 

But that we'd all be hanged unless 

We'd manage to break out; 

We planned that when the jailer came 

In with our evening meal, 

To seize him and then quietly 

Upon the guards to steal. 



86 



As soon therefore as he came in 

Fry stepped out through the door, 

As if it were a common thing 

He oft had done before; 

Said he, "A pleasant evening, sir!" 

The jailer looked confused, 

But Captain Fry said with a smile, 

As if he were amused. 



"We wish this evening to go out 
And take a little walk 
And breathe the pure October air 
And have a quiet talk; 
To stay in that close prison pen 
It will no longer do. 
Give me those keys and make no noise 
Or 'twill be worse for you." 



87 



The old man tried to call the guard, 

But Pittenger rushed out 

And placed his hand upon his mouth 

And thus suppressed his shout; 

Then came the rush of prisoners 

Out into the jail-yard, 

I ran ahead at once and seized 

The musket of a guard. 



Seven Rebels were on guard. 

Five we at once disarmed, 

The other two ran out and soon 

The neighborhood alarmed; 

Those in the yard now scaled the fence 

And ran with rapid strides 

While bullets from the Rebel's guns 

Fell harmless by their sides. 



88 



Captain Fry and nine of us 
Escaped into a wood, 
We halted there, against a tree, 
Panting for breath we stood; 
We did not stand long till some one 
Said in a tone quite low, 
'Well boys it will not do to stay. 
Guess we had better go." 



The hardships which we all passed through, 
To tell I now will try. 
Although I have- not much to tell 
Concerning Captain Fry; 
I heard that after thirty days 
Had quietly passed by, 
Hemanaged to get to Nashville, 
And there remained safely. 



89 



We nine companions went in squads 

Which we thought would be best, 

Five went Northward, two went Southward, 

And two toward the West. 

Porter and Wollam traveled West, 

They traveled night and day 

Whene'er a wooded country chanced 

To lie right in their way. 



They often waded through large streams 

Or floated o'er on logs. 

One night while suffering from cold, 

They saw a nest of hogs; 

They drove the hogs from their warm nest, 

It was in dead of night, 

They took possession of the nest 

And slept till morning light. 



90 



They traveled many days without 

E'er having tasted food, 

Some nuts they found upon the trees 

Which tasted very good; 

For one whole week they had no bread 

And were obliged to fast, 

But being almost starved they reached 

The Union lines at last. 



Dorsey and Hawkins, the next pair. 

Fared better than the rest, 

I will let Dorsey tell his tale. 

For he can do it best; 

Although we do not here pretend 

To tell just everything, 

Yet in the story Dorsey wrote, 

He tells the following. 



91 



Chapter XIII. 



THE ESCAPE OF DORSEY AND HAWKINS. 




|E journeyed from the woods into 
An open field and lay 
All huddled in a group until 
About the break of day; 
All night we heard the baying of 
Some hounds not far away, 
So we concluded not to move 
Until the dawn of day. 



For many days we traveled on, 
We made a rapid flight, 
We hid by day and traveled in 
The cover of the night; 
We reached a river finally. 
We met some negroes there 
Who ferried us across the stream 
And never asked for fare. 



One of their number went and brought 

A lot of splendid food. 

To us you may indeed be sure 

It tasted very good; 

With thankful hearts we left our friends 

Again pursued our way. 

We traveled that entire night 

Until the break of day. 



93 



We found a barn with well filled mows, 

We entered it and lay 

Upon the fodder in the mow, 

And there we slept all day; 

As our bed was comfortable, 

We did not go away 

That night, but thought we would remain 

At least another day. 



A negro boy, hunting for eggs. 

Came to us where we lay. 

He ran away and we ran too. 

Not caring now to stay; 

We reached the River Hiawassee, 

W'e found a ru.de old boat, 

In this rude craft during the night 

We many miles did float. 



94 



When daylight came we hid our boat 
And cautiously we crept 
Upon a bed of leaves, by turns, 
Till afternoon we slept. 
At sundown we went to a house 
And asked them for some food, 
They gave to us a good square meal. 
Which tasted very good. 



That night we reached the river's mouth. 

We reached the Tennessee, 

We had to leave the river then, 

'Twas for our safety; 

We heard that Bragg's army was near, 

We changed our course of flight. 

We fled into the mountain range 

And traveled all that nigrht. 



95 



We climbed a mountain high and steep 
And sat beneath a tree, 
But presently we saw below, 
A band of cavalry; 

We watched their baggage train go by, 
And shuddered oft with fear, 
Because the Rebels were so close, 
We hoped they'd disappear. 



When night came on we moved again, 

But very cautiously, 

And when the dawn of day appeared 

No Rebels could we see; 

We laid ourselves down on some leaves. 

While one of us would sleep, 

The other dared not close his eyes, 

But careful watch would keep. 



96 



We traveled on for two days more, 

Upon the second day, 

About sundown we heard a noise 

Not very far away; 

We saw some men not far away 

Engaged in chopping wood, 

We went down from the mountain height 

And asked them for some food. 



At first they all refused and said, 

That they were Union men, 

They soon found out that we were too, 

They entertained us then; 

This proved to be a station on 

The Underground Railway, 

A skilful man known as Red Fox, • 

Conducted us away. 



97 



He took us to the next station, 

And thus we were forwarded, 

We hoped those friends who helped us so. 

Would some day be rewarded ; 

In safety at last we reached 

Somerset, Kentucky, 

Just thirty-two days after we 

Had gained our liberty. 



The most romantic adventures 

Of all, were met by two, 

Alfred Wilson with poor Mark Wood 

Went southward and passed through 

Untold hardships because they feared 

The negroes would betray. 

And would not trust to them for food, 

Or guides upon the way. 



98 



Their object was to reach the Gulf 
And join the squadron there, 
And many times starvation seemed 
Them in the face to stare; 
Wilson shall the story tell, 
About himself and Wood, 
Which will, 1 think by every one, 
Be better understood. 



99 



O^ A% #^' ^1\ ^\ 

111 %M ixi ^^ m 



Cbaptcr XIV. 



THE ESCAPE OF WILSON AND WOOD, FROM ATLANTA 
TO THE GULF. 




, jHILE Mark and I were on the fence, 
^j A bullet struck near by, 
So close to me the splinters cut 
The flesh upon my thigh; 
I dropped upon the ground outside 
And yelled to Mark, "I'm hit!" 
"Get up and run," said he. "and keep 
No more account of it." 



loo 



In an instant I was on my feet, 
We ran with all our might, 
I placed my hand upon my thigh 
And found to my delight 
That I had only a slight wound 
And splinters made that wound, 
So off we ran while bullets struck 
Quite near us on the ground. 



We ran about a mile before 

We reached shelter at all, 

And then the trees were scattered so 

The shelter was but small; 

Like hunted stags eluding hounds. 

With stealth we dodged about, 

Debating which for safety. 

Would be the better route. 

lOI 



We very soon approached a road, 

But soon we heard the sound 

Of galloping horsemen, and we threw 

Ourselves upon the ground; 

They were so near us that we both 

Could very plainly see 

Their movements all, we saw that they 

Were Rebel cavalry. 



It was not long until there came 

Some squads of infantry, 

The infantry at once relieved 

The Rebel cavalry; 

The infantry were stationed near 

The place where we both lay, 

We found that if we would escape 

We could not long delay. 

1 02 



We crept across the road into 
An open field near by, 
Then started on a rapid run, 
We almost seemed to fly; 
We entered a thick piece of woods 
And lay down there to rest. 
Then we began to calculate 
Which route would be the best. 



We soon concluded to go South 

And join the blocking fleet. 

As we would not upon that route. 

So many Rebels meet; 

For none of them would likely think 

Of Yankees going South 

To join the squadron anchored near 

The Chattahoochee's mouth. 

103 



Accordingly we both set out 

As fast as we could travel, 

We spoke no words as we walked on 

As noiselessly as possible; 

We were so lame we scarce could walk, 

And Mark was very sick, 

We traveled leaning each upon 

A good, stout walking stick. 



Thus we traveled on that night. 

Both ragged and forlorn, 

Our journey that night took us through 

A field of standing corn ; 

We plucked some ears of corn and chewed 

It as we walked along, 

We did not stop at all to ask 

To whom it might belong. 



104 



When morning came we hid ourselves 
And lay down sore distressed, 
We were so near exhausted that 
We thought we'd better rest; 
When we awoke 'twas afternoon, 
We found our feet so sore, 
It seemed almost impossible 
To travel any more. 



However we both hobbled on. 

Doing the best we could. 

The corn which we had brought along 

Alone served us for food; 

When morning came, alas ! poor Mark 

Could scarcely walk at all, 

So dropping on his hands and knees 

He imdertook to crawl. 

105 



Some distance thus he crawled along, 
Then looking back at me, 
His look I never shall forget, 
He said despairingly, 
"Alf, such a life is but a curse, 
I'm sure I'd rather be 
Dead and lying in my grave, 
Then in such misery !" 



I urged him not to give up yet, 
Saying the worst was o'er, 
That we would soon the river reach, 
Where we could use the oar; 
Encouraged thus we struggled on 
And soon had cause to thank 
Our God, for we soon stood upon 
The Chattahoochee's bank. 

io6 



Soon we discovered a small skiff 

Chained tightly to a tree, 

With a large stone we broke the lock 

And soon the skiff was free; 

We soon were gliding smoothly down 

The Chattahoochee stream, 

The trials which we had passed through 

Seemed now to us a dream. 



When morning came we ran our boat 

Into a small bayou 

And crept into a thicket near, 

Entirely hid from view; 

There we lay down upon some leaves. 

Like sheep lie in their nest, 

But the mosquitoes were so bad. 

We gained but little rest. 

107 



Four days and nights we traveled on, 

Having no bread to eat, 

So many times in dreams I saw 

A table spread so neat, 

Covered o'er with rich dainties, 

Biscuit, bread and cheese, 

In fact just everything one needs 

His hunger to appease. 



We saw a house upon the bank. 
The prospects now seemed good, 
So we determined to go in 
And ask them for some food ; 
They kindly furnished us a meal, 
And 'twas a splendid one. 
And not a single scrap was left 
When Mark and I had done. 

io8 



Then thanking our generous friends 

We started on our way, 

For we were anxious to move on 

Without a long delay; 

The river now grew very rough, 

It now to us was plain 

That we must leave our boat and walk 

Upon the land again. 



We left our boat among the rocks 
And traveled on once more 
Until at last we saw a town 
And knew the worst was o'er; 
Columbus was the town we saw, 
If we could pass it by, 
We then could use the stream again 
And sail in safety. 

109 



As we approached the town we heard 

A constant clattering sound, 

Which did not cease during the night, 

We thought we'd look around; 

We soon perceived a gang of men 

Working with all their might. 

When morning came they did not cease, 

They worked both day and night. 



A large gunboat was being built 

To send down to the Bay, 

It was intended for to drive 

Our blocking fleet away; 

This boat we afterwards soon learned, 

Upon its first trip South, 

Blew up before it reached our fleet, 

When near Flint River's mouth. 

no 



We looked around until we found 

A cracked old leaky boat, 

We entered it and safe once more, 

We down the stream did float; 

We soon espied three splendid boats 

Tied up upon the shore. 

We soon decided that we'd sail 

Our leaky boat no more. 



We had just loosened the three boats. 
When down upon us came 
Three men with a large pack of dogs. 
With language rough, profane; 
'We did not stop to bandy words," 
But shoved the boats into 
The water, so that they could not 
Immediately pursue. 

Ill 



Then jumping into one we rowed 

Directly up the stream, 

As if we'd gone back to the town. 

It did to them so seem; 

We made a circuit round about, 

Then sailed down stream again, 

We soon were out of hearing of 

The curses of those men. 



With open river and good boat, 

We thought our chances good 

For making our escape although 

Our stomachs yearned for food; 

We found some pumpkins in a field 

And feasted on the seeds. 

Although 'twas poor it helped somewhat 

To satisfy our needs. 

112 



Day after day we traveled on, 

Having but little food, 

One day we stopped and took a nap 

Upon a pile of wood; 

When we awoke somewhat refreshed, 

We saw a comic sight, 

A hundred alligators lay 

About us left and right. 



We were so hungry that we could 

Endure the pangs no more, 

We saw a house and left our boat 

Carelessly on the shore ; 

They gave us food, we started back 

To take our boat again ; 

Alas, it had been stolen by 

Some cruel, sinful men. 

"3 



We perched ourselves upon a mound 
And there remained that night, 
It rained all night, we were indeed 
Then in a sorry plight; 
We lay there that entire night 
And part of the next day, 
When to our joy we found a boat 
And quickly rowed away. 



During the night we caught some fish 

Which we devoured raw, 

A sadder sight than poor Mark Wood, 

I'm sure I never saw; 

His eyes were sunken in his head. 

They had a fearful glare, 

I never shall forget the sight 

Poor Mark presented there. 

114 



The river now we plainly saw 

Grew wider every day, 

We soon concluded that we were 

Already in the Bay; 

We saw a cabin on the shore, 

I stopped to get a light 

For my old pipe, when I came back 

I found Mark looking bright. 



He'd found some sweet potatoes in 

A negro's small canoe, 

We now had nearly food enough 

To last our journey through; 

Soon afterwards I thought I saw 

Some dead trees far away. 

And thought no doubt they stood upon 

An island in the Bay. 

115 



We saw a sand-bar in the way, 
While we were passing through, 
Mark seized a muddy-looking lump 
Which he soon cut in two; 
I saw him put it to his mouth, 
Said I, "You starving Yank, 
What is that muddy lump you've picked 
From ofif that muddy bank?" 



"Taste this," said he, "and you will find 
We're in an oyster bed !" 
I tasted it and found it so, 
'Twas true what he had said ; 
I now discovered something else, 
What I thought to be trees 
Were masts of ships, we saw our flag 
There floating in the breeze. 

ii6 



We dropped our paddles in the boat, 
Stood up and screamed and cried, 
Mark wanted to jump overboard 
And swim against the tide; 
But I dissuaded him and we 
Rowed on with all our might, 
The hulls and smokestacks of the ships 
Were now plainly in sight. 



We rowed toward the largest ship. 

We heard a loud command, 
"Come to, there, sir!" and presently 

There came a loud demand, 
"Who are you, and how came you here?" 

We answered, "We are men 

Escaped from prison and we want 

To get back home again !" 

117 



We were received into the ship 
And well supplied with food, 
And deeply was the captain moved 
While gazing on poor Wood; 
He was indeed a sorry sight, 
Nothing but skin and bone. 
For many nights when fast asleep, 
He'd often start and moan. 



We soon returned to home and friends. 

With joy we were received. 

We both had long been mourned as dead, 

Of care they were relieved; 

Thus ended our romantic flight 

From that foul Rebel den, 

What we endured cannot be told 

By either tongue or pen. 



ii8 



Chapter XV. 

THE ESCAPE OF BROWN AND MYSELF. 

fCj| NOW proceed to tell my tale, 
c^ What trials I passed through; 

At first we had three in our crowd 

Which soon reduced to two; 

Brown, Mason and myself were thrown 

Together in the flight, 

But Mason very sick became 

While in the woods that night. 



119 



He soon became so very weak 

He scarce could move a limb, 

We let him lean upon our arms 

And thus we carried him; 

But every day he grew much worse, 

We knew not what to do. 

He bade us leave him there alone 

And beat our own way through. 



We took him to a house near by, 

We were kindly received, 

They set some food before us which 

We ate and felt relieved; 

We told them that we had escaped 

From the Atlanta jail 

And now were trying to get North, 

They said we'd surely fail. 

1 20 



Just as we finished our good meal, 

Right in through the front door 

Came three stout men armed with shotguns, 

To capture us once more; 

But we determined that 'twould take 

More force than those three men 

To manage us and take us back 

To that foul den again. 



They thus spoke up, "Surrender now, 
We here demand of you," 
But Brown, who feared no man, replied, 
"We won't; now see if we do." 
At the same time we made a dash 
And through the back door sped. 
We ran toward a piece of woods 
A short distance ahead. 



121 



We kept the fence between us and 

The Rebels who rushed out 

Through the front door and leaped upon 

Their horses with a shout; 

The owner of the house ran out, 

A pack of hounds let loose, 

Before we could the woodland reach 

The hounds came up with us. 



We saw a place where loose stones lay 

And took a stand for fight, 

Determined that we'd kill the dogs. 

Or put them all to flight; 

We picked up stones, I judge each one. 

About a pound would weigh, 

We threw them at the pack of hounds 

And drove them all away. 



122 



But our pursuers now were near, 

We started on a run, 

As we had naught but stones for fight, 

While they each had a gun; 

We got into some brushwood soon, 

But that would not avail. 

Although the hounds dared not come near, 

They still followed our trail. 



We soon discovered a small creek 
And waded into it. 
By doing so we managed to 
The dogs and men outwit; 
Soon the expanse of timber hid 
The Rebels from our view, 
How long they kept pursuing us, 
I'm sure we never knew. 

123 



East of Atlanta, eighteen miles, 

We reached, on that same day, 

A place they called Stone Mountain, then 

We traveled none by day; 

But every night we traveled on, 

The North Star was our guide, 

And many times we were compelled 

In some safe place to hide. 



One time we traveled for six days 

With scarcely any food. 

We were so hungry that we chewed 

At times small bits of wood; 

The seventh day we caught a goose 

Which we devoured raw, 

We had hard work to pick it though. 

The like I never saw. 

124 



If any one e'er tried to pull 

The feathers from a goose, 

You know what trouble you have had 

To get the feathers loose; 

Unless you scald the goose 'tis hard 

To pull the feathers out, 

Of course we had no means to scald 

And had to pull without. 



Before night came we saw near by 

A drove of pigs half grown, 

We thought 'twould be a prize indeed 

If we could capture one; 

However we determined that 

To get one we would try, 

I took a club and stood behind 

A tree which stood near by. 

125 



Then with small bits of apple, Brown 

Coaxed one of them near me, 

I grasped my club with a firm hand 

And leaned against the tree; 

When he came near I darted forth 

And with one fearful blow 

With my stout club upon his head, 

I laid the piggie low. 



We found some fire in a field. 

We sat upon a log 

And built a fire there and had 

A feast on roasted hog; 

We carried with us what remained, 

And journeyed on our way 

And for a long time hunger's pangs 

It suflficed to allay. 

126 



We crossed the Chattahoochee soon 

And traveled on all day, 

We climbed the mountain and footsore 

Kept traveling on our way; 

While one would sleep the other kept 

A close watch by his side, 

Or as some say we always slept 

With one eye open wide. 



Although we knew it not we were, 

From friends not far away, 

By accident we came upon 

Some friends that very day; 

While crossing an old clearing near, 

We came upon a house, 

We both approached it cautiously 

And quiet as a mouse. 

127 



We saw two men upon the porch, 

We knew no two men could 

Arrest us if we first obtained 

A good square meal of food; 

We boldly asked them if they'd give 

Something to us to eat, 

The mistress soon prepared for us 

A rich, delightful treat. 



While we were eating she remarked, 
"I wish the Yankees would 
Come to our State, I really think 
Their cofifee tastes so good !" 
We told her that we thought so too, 
She eyed us closely then 
And said, "I really do believe 
That you are Yankee men !" 

128 



We soon found out that they were friends, 
And told them we were Yanks 
And had been members at one time 
Of Captain Mitchel's ranks. 
They entertained us royally, 
We stayed there until night, 
We took a rest, then by their help 
Continued our flight. 



This proved to be a branch upon 

The Underground Railway, 

That part they called the Southern branch. 

We did not long delay 

But traveled now more rapidly. 

The worst part now was past. 

In old Kentucky we arrived. 

In Somerset at last. 



129 



One month and nine days were consumed 

By us upon the way, 

'Twas in October we broke out, 

Upon the sixteenth day; 

'Twas on November twenty-fifth, 

We came to Somerset, 

Two happier men than Brown and I, 

We never since have met. 



Reluctantly we now return 

To the Atlanta pen. 

Where six recaptured of our gang 

Were taken back again, 

WilHam Pittenger shall tell 

The story for he knows 

Just how they fared until exchanged, 

'Tis thus his story goes. 

130 



dbaptcr XVL 

FROM ATLANTA TO RICHMOND, LIBBY AND CASTLE 
THUNDER EXCHANGED AT LAST. 

^i7^ OOR Mason who had fallen sick 
(pY Was placed with us again, 

In that pen we were not allowed 

Much longer to remain; 

They thought the jail no longer safe, 

They ordered us away 

Into the city barracks near. 

Without a long delay. 



131 



The weeks rolled by, there we remained 

Until December came, 

Each day in prison all that time 

Was spent about the same; 

At last some joyful news arrived. 

It was a joyful day, 

We were to be sent northward and 

Exchanged without delay. 



They put us into old box cars 

And thus we journeyed o'er 

That fatal road o'er which we ran 

About eight months before; 

When we at length came to Lynchburg, 

We lay by for a day. 

We missed connection on the road, 

Which caused the long delay. 



132 



While there a drunken Rebel said, 
"If we would grant no more 

Such quarter to the Yanks you'd find 

The war would soon be o'er." 
"No doubt," said I, "if such had been 

The rule you'd find it so, 

For we would surely have wiped out 

All Rebels long ago." 



Thence we were taken to Richmond 

And thought we'd be relieved 

Of further prison life, alas. 

We were greatly deceived ! 

We soon were marched along the streets, 

How far I could not tell. 

Before a large brick house we stopped. 

The famous Libby hell. 



133 



We were soon placed in that foul hole, 

But our stay was short, 

To Castle Thunder we were led, 

A terrible resort. 

Christmas came, still we remained. 

No word of our exchange 

Had yet reached us, we wondered when 

They would for it arrange. 



The month of February came. 

They called out our band 

And read our names, they said that list 

Had come from Yankee land; 

This gave us much encouragement, 

At last they had arranged 

That we six men would be among 

The next to be exchanged. 

134 



That joyful day it came at last, 

It was a joyful day 

When by exchange they took us from 

That filthy den away; 

'Twas on the seventeenth of March, 

In eighteen sixty-three. 

When we the last of our gang 

Were set at liberty. 



We soon arrived at City Point 
And there we were exchanged, 
When we beheld the Stars and Stripes, 
We cheered like men deranged. 
We went on board a vessel, then 
Set sail for Washington, 
And were most cordially received 
By Secretary Stanton. 

135 



He then brought out six medals which 

He said we six had won, 

Young Parrot, as he well deserved, 

Was given the first one; 

He gave one hundred dollars to 

Each one of us also, 

And also transportation to 

Our homes in Ohio. 



136 



(Tbapter XVII. 

CONCLUSION. 

C^^HUS Mr. Knight his lecture gave 
q^^^ Of that small band so bold, 
But of their sufferings, "The half 
Has never yet been told." 
The War is over and once more 
The Blue and Gray unite 
In sounding praises of those boys 
Who died for what was right. 



137 



In Chattanooga you may see, 
In a graveyard that's nigh, 
A semi-circle where those eight 
Who lost their lives now lie; 
The gallows is no shame to them, 
Our nation speaks their praise, 
And eulogies of them are sung 
On our memorial days. 



A monument of granite stands 

Near where the heroes lie, 

Reared by the Buckeye State for those 

Who did not fear to die; 

A locomotive made of bronze. 

An emblem of the chase, 

Upon the base of granite stands. 

In a conspicuous place. 

138 



Nine of this brave and gallant band 

Are living yet today, 

Five of the fourteen who escaped 

Have since been called away; 

We hope that they now dwell with Him 

Who said that wars shall cease, 

No more to sufifer grief and pain, 

But dwell in joy and peace. 



k 



You scoffers who in ignorance 

Hoot at the G. A. R., 

Take up your books and read at once 

The history of the War; 

And if you are not bigoted. 

You will be heard to say, 

That those dear brave old Boys in Blue, 

We never can repay. 

139 



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